Justification:
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as uncommon or locally common. In 2006 the species was abundant at Mornington Station, central Kimberley (S. Legge in litt. 2006) and large flocks were seen in Nathan River National Park, south-west Gulf of Carpentaria (D. Hooper in litt. 2006). Numbers have been roughly estimated at c.50,000 individuals but this appears to fluctuate greatly.

An increase in the incidence of airsac mite, which also affects the threatened Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae, may be indicative of a decline or of environmental stress from other causes. Changes in the burning regime, and the introduction of stock including cattle, sheep and horses, are likely to have affected the species, but the mechanism by which this has occurred is unknown. Owing to the lack of firm evidence for population trends, further moitoring of population size and potential threats are warranted.

Citation:

BirdLife International 2012. Heteromunia pectoralis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 31 March 2015.